The Logistics:

The Situation:

I start working from home on Monday; Mel and My Mom work in D.C. in Virginia

I live a good 45 minutes away from the hospital If I went into labor on Monday, Tuesday, or any day of the work week, how would I get to the hospital?

The Goal:

To go into labor over the weekend

It would’ve been ideal to go into labor over the weekend mainly because Mel and my mom would be available in case we needed to trek to the hospital. More so, a convenience factor.

On Friday night, I sent Mel on a wild goose chase for a cookies & cream milkshake. Cravings have no sympathy–get it and get it now. If anything, I think that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. He made sure we got up early the next morning to start Mission: Labor. Mind you, we never woke up before 11 on the weekends pre-baby.

The entire weekend consisted of a lot of mall walking. Saturday, we walked through an outlet mall. It was large enough so we wouldn’t get bored with the sights but small enough so we could easily get to our exit in case we had some action. We walked for what seemed like days; I even had to take a few breaks on the benches, still–nothing. We lost this round, but I did get a nice parting gift in the form of Braxton Hicks contractions. *insert sarcasm here* When we got home, I slept until the next morning.

Day One of Mission: Labor – Failed

Sunday was a lazy day. I knew we needed to get up but all the walking from the day before really did me in. We finally got it together around 3 P.M. For whatever reason, I really wanted to go to Pentagon City so, that’s where we headed. Lo and behold traffic was ridiculously backed up. On a Sunday?! You’ve gotta be kidding me. So what did I do? I cried. Mel told me it would be okay and, after some ‘debating,’ we ended up going to Union Station. First stop, Victoria’s Secret. Why? I wanted to get a nice, comfy outfit to wear for my hospital arrival and departure.

We walked, climbed the stairs, walked a little further, climbed more stairs, and then I had to take a food break. Jalapeño Cheese Fries to the rescue, again. I called myself trying out Old Wives Tales; eat something spicy, walking, and climbing stairs. By the sixth round of stairs and two hours of testing “theories,” I was pretty much ready to go. My Braxton Hicks were becoming a bit uncomfortable and I was just plain tired.

When we got to the car I wanted to try another old-wives tale: Squats. I took a deep breath and tried one, but I couldn’t get back up; Mel had to come “save” me. Alas, we headed home. It was becoming apparent Aria wouldn’t be making her grand entrance this weekend. But Braxton Hicks contractions and a boatload of heartburn showed up right on time once again. Per usual, I made a bee line to the bed, propped my swollen feet up on a few pillows and drifted off to La La Land. Around 9PM I was awakened by more Braxton Hicks’ contractions. But these were…different. A little more frequent and little more intense. After about three rounds of these I knew it was time to call the doctor’s office.

I received the go ahead to come to the hospital. By 11:30PM we were on what seemed to be the bumpiest car ride ever. At this rate, I wouldn’t need to do much pushing to get Aria out; with these potholes, she could’ve just popped out. We arrived at the hospital at 12:30AM and I was hooked up to the monitors. I was only 2 1/2 centimeters dilated but my contractions were coming fast. The music to my ears: “We are going to go ahead and admit you. You won’t be leaving here without a baby.” WE DID IT!

Day Two of Mission: Labor– Successful

The nurse told me I should walk around for a little while to speed things up. As I was walking around I called my mom to let her know that I went into labor. I told her she didn’t have to come yet because it would be a while before we saw any real action. She said, “Okay, just let me know.” One hour later she was in my hospital room. I knew she was going to do that, lol.

I was fine until the walking actually started working.

By 2:08AM, I was 3 1/2 centimeters dilated and clinging onto the bed rails for dear life. I was trying to tough it out until 4cm to get an epidural. I talked to Mel for a little while and we played a few games in between contractions. Almost four hours later, at 5:56AM, I reached 4cm. Thoughts to self: Okay, I’m doing well. I can handle this. Hmm, maybe we can go natural all the way? By 7AM I was frantically pushing the call button. At 4 1/2 cm, that epidural had my name written all over it. Bring it. That heavenly medicine brought on the most beautiful slumber I have ever had.

It was 10AM when I woke up and guess who was looking back at me? MY DOCTOR! I was so excited. It was now Monday and Dr. B was on call! However, a drizzle of rain hit my parade when I found out I was still at 4 1/2cm–three hours later. Apparently, the epidural really slowed things down. Dr. B broke my water and gave me Pitocin to get my labor back on track.To my dismay, due to Aria’s current position, my cervix was swelling and ultimately causing my body to do the opposite of what it needed to do to birth my child.

To top it all off, My epidural wore off on one side. On one side of my body I was beautifully numb. The other side of my body felt every, single, off-the-chart contraction. WTHeck?! The nurses and anesthesiologists couldn’t figure out why this was happening and gave me another pain med through my IV, but that didn’t work either. I was tired, I was in pain, things just weren’t going as smoothly as I hoped.

At 1:26pm I was being prepped for a C-section, the reason – Failure to Progress at 4 1/2 cm. While it was disheartening to not have the opportunity to push Aria out, I had to do what was best for her — the first of many Mommy Sacrifices.

Maybe the nurses and anesthesiologists didn’t relay the message of my epidural wearing off to my doctor because as they were doing the prick test before they cut me open, I told them I could feel everything. “No, you just feel pressure. It’s normal.” No, people. I feel it! I told Jamel, I can feel them pricking me and he said, “She isn’t under.” No one listened. And right as they started to cut, I lifted my leg up, off of the table. The doctor’s said, “She’s not under!!!” Isn’t that what we’ve been saying?! So the anesthesiologist came in and administered another epidural. And this one…man oh man…this one as the stuff dreams are made of. Whewwwww!!! I drifted in and out, and before I knew it, she was here!

Seventeen hours, two epidurals, and one C-Section later Aria Noelle was born into this world on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 2:59PM at 8 pounds 3 ounces and 20 inches long. The little person who was just squirming around in my belly minutes before, is now right here in my arms. Surreal is the only word I can think of to describe that feeling. My Sugar Pie Honey Bun, the apple of my eye, is here. Ladies and Gentleman, I am now A Mommy.